It occured to me whilst driving down the highway, reflecting on a film I had just seen. "Passion of the Christ" is an excellent film, although I was only able to see 3/4 of it due to other matters at hand. It was not the movie itself that brought an epiphany, but a question asked by my better half afterwards.

"So, as a Satanist, aren't you supposed to be against this movie, and not see it for those reasons?"

Now the question was answered with "Hey, I enjoy a good mythological film every once in a while" which did not sit well with someone who insists it was real, and not myth as I had so eloquently put it. And why not!? The Romans and Greeks believed then as do these christians now that their forms of divine beings existed, and now they are myths in books. But I digress.

What brings me here today is the thought that since something is labeled "Christian" it is off-limits to non-christians, and in this case, a Satanist.

Wrong

Should I pitch my P.O.D. collection because they praise "Jah" in their songs, or not attend gatherings for causes that I am interested in only because it is a christian that is conducting the meeting? Should I not go and enjoy a fine meal in a restaurant run by roman catholics? If you are missing out on pleasures in your life because of titles, then you are missing life.

Do you dare to live life to its fullest? I thought this was just common sense, but it turns out Dr. LaVey was right when he said for some, it is a tall order to fill.

Pitch the idea that "Satanism" means "Anti-christian", head down to your nearest McDonalds, order the spaghetti and meatballs, and watch the clerk break his neck looking for your meal on his menu. Go see the movies you like, listen to the music you enjoy, eat what you want to eat, fuck whoever it is you desire, and enjoy your time here.

I would also say the same thing about "herd" activity. Just because everybody is doing something, it doesn't mean a Satanist must avoid doing it.

I enjoy bowling, video games, fishing, and I even buy my groceries at Walmart. These can all be considered herd activities. The difference is, I do it because I want to. The herd does it because they have been programmed to. They do it to avoid being alienated. I do it as an outsider looking in, I guess you could say.

The Satanist is in control of , not controled by .

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They are doomed because they cannot even glimpse beyond the construct that their masters have put into place. Their masters are doomed because they believe in the construct they created.

In my opinion, when someone allows the herd to dictate what they do not enjoy it is just as bad (or worse) than when they allow the herd to dictate what they do enjoy.

It’s similar to racists attempting to only buy or support products that were made by someone else in their particular race. It’s ridiculous, near impossible, and the morons are deservingly missing out on a lot of great stuff.

I’m reminded of the Clichéd Clichés post that I made a long time ago, addressing the fact that I can enjoy whatever I wish regardless of if it’s cliché for me to do so as a Satanist (i.e. wearing black, listening to Black Metal, enjoying Horror movies, etc.). The same applies vice versa, like my love of the Middle Ages (a very, very Christian period in history) and the music, architecture and artwork that was created during that time (most all of which was devoted to and usually depicted God, Mary, and/or Jesus - Hell, that’s not my fault!).

The Church of Satan Baphomet AltarpieceThe ONLY Altarpiece endorsed by the Church of Satan, using the Trademarked CoS Sigil of Baphomet.A percentage from each piece sold is proudly paid directly to the organization for this privilege.Do not accept imitations!

While I agree with you whole heartedly that Christian does not mean "Off-Limits", I have to say that it is important when treading in these waters to avoid the advancement of your enemy. I am not going to pay for this film because I do not want to further the christian fundamentalist movement. To run with your enemies is to adavance their position. I am against Fundies because they want to opress me and hinder my enjoyment in life.

Now if you want to go to the next church ralley, and eat some quality free food , be my guest. Enjoy everything that you want to enjoy, just don't forget the long term affects of your actions in the process.

Quote:While I agree with you whole heartedly that Christian does not mean "Off-Limits", I have to say that it is important when treading in these waters to avoid the advancement of your enemy. I am not going to pay for this film because I do not want to further the christian fundamentalist movement. To run with your enemies is to adavance their position. I am against Fundies because they want to opress me and hinder my enjoyment in life.

Now if you want to go to the next church ralley, and eat some quality free food , be my guest. Enjoy everything that you want to enjoy, just don't forget the long term affects of your actions in the process.

I see what you are saying, but I'm not sure I would consider that movie as being a catalyst that would further the Christian cause. On the contrary, it seems to prove that Christianity has become just another consumer product. Just a good fictional, violent movie.

This is the only "Second Coming" they will ever get.

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They are doomed because they cannot even glimpse beyond the construct that their masters have put into place. Their masters are doomed because they believe in the construct they created.

Quote: No one is going to oppress you unless you allow yourself to be oppressed. Yes, this does include your own personal self as well.

While I would love to say that I agree with you, I simply cannot. I don't think that the africans had much of a say in the matter when they were made slaves. I don't think that the homosexuals let themselves be beat to death by biggots. Now while I am listing EXTREME cases here, I am merely doing it for shock value to get my point across. The worst that would probably happen to me if the fundamentalist agenda was fully pushed through would be that all the porn shops in my area would be closed down, but I don't want this to happen. So my solution, I will wait till the movie comes to me. Usually one of my buddies will rent something and I will watch it at their house. No real problems here.

"My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place, and I resolved that, however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed forever when I could be a slave in fact." - Frederick Douglas

Interesting quote, and point taken. Still though, I don't ever want to have my spirit crushed in the first place. It just seems to be a little unpleasent.

I guess that the movie thing is debatable wether or not it furthers the cause, and at the moment I can't think of really anything in particular that should be avoided for that reason, but I just decided I would throw my thought into the logic pile.

I can enjoy (and as a matter of fact I have) watching movies about the life of Jesus, Buddha, Hercules or any other mythological characters. That doesn’t mean I’m supporting those religions.

Will the money I paid for the ticked somehow help someone with an agenda opposed to mine? Of course it will... as will eventually every cent you spend in practically anything on Earth.

Should I stop driving my car because some part of the money I pay for gasoline eventually goes to the pockets of some Islamic fundamentalist in Saudi Arabia? Should I stop eating at my favorite restaurant if I knew the cook is a Christian fundamentalist?

Should I ask for the religious background of the owner of every business I visit, to avoid giving money to a religious nut by accident?

I think life is a little more complex than that...

_________________________You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.Robert A. Heinlein

Yeah, I thought about it a little more after I posted this and decided to go watch the movie. I realized that it was silly to try and avoid 'helping my enemies' as it is a pointless battle. My $8 isn't going to count for anything when compared to the millions that Mel is going to be making off of this flick. The fact that I enjoyed it is all that really matters.

TR966CoS Member
Registered: 06/30/01
Posts: 1874
Loc: Up in the Mountains, USA

Good call Sol, Haven't had the chance to go "into town/off the mountain" (I have a house up in the mountains) since it came out, but do plan on seeing it. I have heard the movie described as "Jesus Chainsaw massacre", and the clips I have seen it looks very interesting. I have enjoyed other movies based on various myths (as you, and myself described it, I had a similar discussion with someone when I mentioned that I wanted to see it). I have read the bible, and love reading about mythology of various types. As for being "off-limits" to me there is almost nothing that is off-limits unless I myself have decided that I do not want to see / hear / etc... about it. I will have to pass on P.O.D. myself because I saw them live opening for another band, and thought they sucked. One of my friends said I didn't like them because they were x-ian, and I stated that I didn't know they were, I just didn't care for them. He and I have played "the game" before on bands that were of a certain backgound or religion, and I told him I don't give a shit, either it makes me move (tap my foot) or does not.As for restaurants and such, I have to agree with you and TP, et all. I am not paying for or supporting your ideology, I just want good food and service, and when I get it I am willing to pay well and tip well. Much of the money you spend is going in one way or another to x-ians, they are the dominant sect in Amerika right now. Deal with it, and do not shut yourself off to opportunity. Most of the money I make in my most profitable business ventures is off of Christians, I am happy for their herd qualities, one customer turns into many. I am a whore I will take money from any individual, their friends, their church, or anyone else I can "hook up" with, in a business fashion. Enjoy life and all it has to offer.

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" I am a railing alongside the torrent; whoever is able to grasp me may grasp me! Your cruch, however I am not" Zarathustra Or, "most people are like Slinkies...Not really much good for anything, but they can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.TR966